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<
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International Services |
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Tel.(66)-3825-9999#1155 |
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email: bphint@bph.co.th |
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:: Worldwide insurance assistance
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Interpreters available for Arabic, Bangla, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malayu, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai and Urdu. |
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| Cholesterol |
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 What
is hypercholesterolemia? 
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Hypercholesterolemia
is an excessive amount of cholesterol in the blood (more
than 240 milligrams per deciliter). This condition contributes
to the development of hardened arteries (at herosclerosis)
and can lead to chest pain (angina pectoris), heart attack
or stroke. |
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According
to the American Heart Association, nearly 100 million people
have a cholesterol level considered borderline-high (200-239
mg/d). Even this level of total cholesterol can place individuals
at a greater risk for heart-related disease. |
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Cholesterol
screenings can help detect high cholesterol. Regular screenings
are particularly important for men over 35 years of age
and for women over 45 years of age. Research studies have
found that, for every 1 percent reduction in one's blood
cholesterol level, the risk of coronary heart disease decreases
as much as 3 percent. |
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| How
is high cholesterol diagnosed? |
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Cholesterol
screenings can be performed quickly and simply, typically
through blood drawn from a vein of through a fingertip “prick
test.” |
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A
cholesterol screening gives only an approximate indication
of your cholesterol level. Even under normal conditions,
test results may be as much as 14 percent higher or lower
than actual cholesterol levels. In addition, test results
may vary even when repeated within a very short period of
time. For these reasons, your physician may provide you
with results in a range such as “between 150 and 160 mg/d”
rather than with an exact number. |
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Test
results may include a ratio of total cholesterol to good
(HDL) cholesterol. For example, a ratio of 5:1 means your
total cholesterol, in mg/d, is 5 times greater than your
HDL cholesterol. The American Heart Association encourages
individuals to maintain a cholesterol ratio of 5:1 or
lower. |
HDL
levels should be maintained at 35 mg/d or more, regardless
of total cholesterol
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| How
is high cholesterol treated? |
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Hypercholesterolemia
may be due to either genetic or controllable causes. The
most common cause of high cholesterol is too many fats
and oils, particularly saturated fats, in the diet. The
best strategy for avoiding dangerously high cholesterol
levels is to choose a low-fat diet such as the National
Cholesterol Education Program recommended Step I and Step
II Diets and limit the amount of saturated fats, which
tend to cause the body to produce more cholesterol and
start to enjoy a healthy lifestyle as soon as possible,
Cholesterol deposits begin forming at a young age, so
preventive care can be taught to children early on and
practiced for a lifetime. |
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The
Step I Diet |
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- Saturated
fat = 8 to 10 percent of total daily calories
- 30
percent or less of daily calories from fat
- Less
than 300 mg daily dietary cholesterol
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The
Step II Diet |
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- Saturated
fats < 7 percent of total daily calories
- 30
percent or less of daily calories from fat
- Less
than 200 mg daily dietary cholesterol
If you think you may have high cholesterol, speak with your
physician to determine which dietary program best suits
your individual situation. Your physician may also suggest other
programs, including:
- Weight loss
- Exercise/fitness
- Smoking cessation
- Alcohol reduction
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